RareBoost Team Got Together for 2026 Retreat
The RareBoost Retreat 2026 was held on 16–17 April 2026, bringing together the RareBoost project team for two days of scientific exchange, discussion, and collaboration around rare disease research.
The retreat opened with remarks by Prof. Dr. Uğur Özbek, who shared the RareBoost vision and reflected on the project’s progress and future direction. Across the two-day program, researchers presented their work on different aspects of rare disease biology, from organoid models and functional genomics to computational structural biology, epigenetic mechanisms, CRISPR-based modelling, multi-omics approaches, zebrafish models, and science communication.
On the first day, the program focused on rare disease mechanisms and research models. Presentations were delivered by Prof. Dr. Sinan Güven, Leman Binokay on behalf of Prof. Dr. Gökhan Karakülah, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kasım Diril, Asst. Prof. Dr. Yavuz Oktay, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Karaca, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serap Erkek Özhan. The sessions highlighted ongoing research at IBG and created space for discussion on how to move rare disease research forward together.
The retreat also included a Poster Session, where students presented their research. The Best Poster Prize winners among masters students were:
1st Prize: Delfin Alpsoy
Functional Characterization of Novel Splice-Site Variants and RNA-Based Correction Strategies
2nd Prize: Şimal Kayıkçı
Functional Investigation of PYROXD2 Variants in Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Network Organization
3rd Prize: Nazlıcan Kesmik
Phenotypic Characterization of Histone H1E C-Terminal Frameshift Mutations in Rahman Syndrome
The first day also featured a scientific trivia session, with Leman Binokay announced as the trivia winner.
The second day focused on communication, collaboration, and clinical impact. Dr. Gerhard Wingender delivered a session on “Lay Summary and Pitch Talk,” followed by a presentation by Prof. Dr. Güneş Özhan titled “Deciphering Rare Disease Mechanisms Through Functional Genomics and Zebrafish Models.”
The program also included a 5-Minute Research Talk session, where PhD students and postdoctoral researchers presented their work in a concise format. Presenters included Ece Sönmezler, Cansu Kaya, Soheil Akbari, Pelin Metiner, Ecem Sekkin, Buse Şahin, and Keziban Korkmaz Bayram, with talks covering neurodevelopmental disease mechanisms, organoid-based disease modelling, structural biology, Rett syndrome modelling, and genomic imprinting.
Throughout the retreat, participants reflected on RareBoost activities, exchanged ideas on rare disease research, and discussed how to further strengthen IBG’s rare disease research ecosystem. The event also provided an opportunity for team members to connect, share experiences, and enjoy time together beyond formal scientific sessions.
We congratulate the Best Poster Prize winners and the trivia winner, and thank everyone who contributed to and participated in the RareBoost Retreat 2026.
